Zardari as president

Your editorial “Something of a coup for Zardari in Pakistan?” (Aug. 25) was to the point. A controversial president who has charges of corruption pending against him in European courts will make Pakistan an unreliable nation in the eyes of the world. Add to it the breach of trust and agreements and lying to the nation about the restoration of judges. I do not think that Zardari, with such heavy baggage, is a suitable candidate for the top job.

Arshad M. Kaisrani, Jeddah, published 31 August 2008

Great opportunity

Your editorial “From Georgia to US-Polish deal” (Aug. 22) has misread the situation totally. In fact, this is an opportunity for the Kingdom and all other Arab states and people not to be dominated by the US. Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union, the US has been aggressively and unfairly pro-Israel because the Arabs have no superpower to back them. The argument in the US policy-maker circles has been: “Who will the Arabs turn to?”

Now there is an opportunity for Arab leaders to show that the Arabs have an alternative to being puppets under the dictates of an anti-Arab cabal. The US has an interest in trying to be fair and not to continue to help the killing and humiliations of the Arab people.

Nevertheless, your editorial seems to suggest that you like to be dictated by the anti-Arab foreign policy of the United States.

Alfred Zakhour, Lebanon, published 31 August 2008

Exploiting fear

It is most unfortunate that the West has continued to exploit fear as a means to find justification for its aggression and domination.

While I agree that Russia appears to be the “bad boy” on the block, my feeling is that it is still in the process of finding itself. It too seems to have fallen prey to a sense of fear. Just why should it fear? The proposed Western defense system can be easily defeated either simply through a massive engagement or by techno-war that would either curtail or prevent the utilization of the proposed defenses. It is all a hoax by the West. The response by Russia illustrates not its vulnerability but its immaturity at assessing the situation.

And this is what must be considered dangerous: The arrogance of the West provoking a response that is destructive. Where then does responsibility lie in this regard? I believe that it has to lie with the West.

It is not right for mighty nations to exploit situations in order to foist its hegemony on the world. The responsibility of America is to be sensitive to issues and to find measured responses.

Jerry Copeland, United States, published 31 August 2008

South Asia at Olympics

The Olympic performances of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were pathetically poor. India, whose population is almost equal to that of China, is celebrating its only gold. Nor has it been able to participate in hockey, where it ruled supreme for long. Pakistan is no better. It has been losing all important hockey matches for years now.

It is due to devaluation of merit, lack of facilities, poor training standards and political influence that these South Asian countries are not able to produce good players for events such as the Olympics. The popularity of cricket may be another big hurdle preventing the promotion of other sports in South Asia.

Indoor games and athletics require extra fitness, stamina, hard work, and modern means of training and financial protection by governments. The athletes coming from the US and other European countries are far more physically and mentally fit when compared to South Asian athletes. China, Korea and Japan, where training and coaching systems are well balanced are now giving a tough time to the US and other European rivals in all games.

It is unfortunate that when even small and poor countries, such as Togo, Ethiopia and Mangolia, could win multiple medals, South Asian countries have very little to show for their massive populations. More unfortunately, their athletes and players consider Olympics an amusement tour at government expenditure and don’t want to learn.

They must learn lessons from people who are doing hard work.

Khawaja Umer Farooq, Jeddah, published 31 August 2008

Bloodshed in Pakistan

It is extremely sad that mindless killings go on in Pakistan — with or without Musharraf. Who is killing whom and why, and why it is so indiscriminate is something that no one has explained yet. Places of worship, schools and hospitals are targeted.

Ending this bloodshed should be the top priority for the elected government. Without security, the country cannot move forward. Unfortunately, the government is occupied with matters such as rivalry between the major coalition partners. If this situation continues, what will future hold for ordinary Pakistanis?

The other area where the government must focus on is education. For the last 62 years, no government has made any serious attempt to address this problem. Musharraf is gone as a result of popular anger. The same level of anger should be directed at the coalition if the government fails to solve the twin issues of security and education.

Once these two basic issues are taken care of by the incoming government, the rest will fall into place automatically.

The people of Pakistan will not be satisfied just with the ouster of Musharraf. They want action from the elected government.

S.H. Moulana, Riyadh, published 31 August 2008

Musharraf’s nemesis

In his article “Pervez Musharraf’s nemesis” (Aug. 22), Aijaz Zaka Syed hit the bull’s eye. Everyone knows what brought Musharraf down. He is a partner in crime. He was protecting the sheep only to sell them to the butcher. How many fathers and mothers were kidnapped from their homes in the middle of the night and sacrificed for bringing this democracy? Do we know how many six-year- and seven-year-olds are locked up in windowless cages around the world because of him? Such traitors deserve a more severe punishment.

Ahmed, Dammam, published 31 August 2008

Criminal in charge

Now that President Pervez Musharraf is gone from the scene, the question that should engage all Pakistanis is: What now? What are these tried and tested criminals, now in power, going to do for the country? Will Pakistan become another Afghanistan? Sure, we are a nuclear power, but does that make Pakistan any more secure than Afghanistan?

My prediction is that the rogues will loot the country again. May God save this nation, for which so many people fought and laid down their lives. The army will take back control in less than a year. Zardari is not going to reinstate the judiciary because he has a vital interest in not doing so. He does not want to pay for his crimes. Nawaz Sharif is bent on vendetta for having been thrown out of the country — rightly, in my opinion — by Musharraf. I pray for the stability and long life of Pakistan.

Lakhdir, Jeddah, published 31 August 2008

Zardari as president

Your editorial “Something of a coup for Zardari in Pakistan?” (Aug. 25) was to the point. A controversial president who has charges of corruption pending against him in European courts will make Pakistan an unreliable nation in the eyes of the world. Add to it the breach of trust and agreements and lying to the nation about the restoration of judges. I do not think that Zardari, with such heavy baggage, is a suitable candidate for the top job.

Arshad M. Kaisrani, Jeddah, published 31 August 2008

Grand mufti’s rejection of Al-Oadah's fatwa

There is nothing to argue against the Grand Mufti's statement and/or in favor of Al-Oadah's statement. Celebrations of birthday, wedding, graduation and for that matter any other celebrations are personal and totally not related to Islam. Please do not make this an issue because there are other issues that need priority and prominence, eg. Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and suffering of Muslims in general.

Khalick Mohamed Rafeek, published 31 August 2008

Grand mufti rejection of Al-Oadah's fatwa - 2

Why have any celebrations then? Would it not also be "immoral" to celebrate when people get married? Or when a child is born?

Maybe those are exceptions?

The feelings someone gets from an event has nothing to do with religion. If the event is a happy one, we are inclined to celebrate. If the event is saddening, then we don't.

A sales manager who has just signed an important contract will likely celebrate. How he does it should be left up to him, provided he does not break any laws.

Cerebrating anniversaries is not a religious tradition. It is something people do because they feel happy and want to externalize it.

Robert Lajoiem, published 31 August 2008